Car coupler



June 16, 19.25.

w, KELSO CAR COUPLER Filed NOV, 29, 1.924 2 Sheets-Sheet l w. KELSO CAR COUPLER June 16, 1925.

Filfid NOV, 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 all) Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT oF'FicEQ WILLIAM xnnso, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To THE MCCONWAY & TORLYEY COMPANY OF r 'r'rseon-sn,irn xinsvtvania, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA;

CAR COUPLER.

7 Application 'filed'November 29, 1924. Serial No. 752,889.

To all whom. it mag concern:

Be. it known that I; XVLLLIAM KnLso, a

citizen. of the. United States,- residing at sembled means for moving the couplerlock:

to unlocked position and for preventing it from accidentally assuming an unlocked position when the device is in service.

i, The. principal: feature of the invention consists in providing. the lock ton the knuckle with a 'depeiidiiigxleg which extends through an opeiiingin thecoupler head and is formed with aplurality of in-.

tei'secting slots, means .movable. withrespect' to the lock. being associated therewith for the purpose of preventing an accidental unlocking movement of 2 said loc'k,. and an 1111- coupling member. being. i used for, actuating said means and for actuatin'gxsaid I look through the interinediacy.ofisaidmeans, one.

oi the intersecting slots- 0f th e lock. leg be mg adapted to receive thesaidme'ans and one of said slots being adapted to receive the uncoupling membem and the portiono l" the said means which eXt-endsinto the slot being apertured to receive the uncoupling.

member and being adapted to. move-vertically with respect, tothelock as well as to oscillate angularly.

A vfurther feature of theinvention consists iniproviding thelock for. the knuckle with a depend ng legliaving an elongated slot and in movably. mounting thereon means for preventing an accidental unlocking n'iovement. thereof, said means being formed withan arm adapted to extend under and cooperate With a. portion of. the coupler head so asto maintain the lockin locked position and being provided with a lug which is slidably and angularly movable within theslot of the lock leg and also being formed with a projection between which and aid arm the depending lock leg extends. Another feature of the invention consists in providing-thelock for the knuckle with a depending leg having aplurality of in tersecting slots and formed with a shoulder aflording bearing upon Which a lock controlling member is adaptedto rock, andiir combining therewith a lock controlling member adapted to cooperate with the coupler head to prevent accidental unlocking of said lock, together withan uncoupling member adapted to actuate the lock controllinflanember and also. to-actuate the look through the intermediacy of the said con trolling member, the latter being provided with a lug that is slidab'ly and angnlarly movable within .one of the slots of the lock leg, and also being formed with-a projec tion "for. engaging and rocking upon the said shoulder to cause corresponding swinging movement of the lock controlling member, and the uncoupling member being receivedby the other slot and engaging .sa-i' lug so as to maintain the lock controlling member in assembled relation to the lock.

A-still further featureot the invention consists. in providing the. lock for the knuckle with a dependingleg formed with an elongated slot and with ashoulder const tuting a bearing upon which the lock controlling member is adapted torock, and

in combining therewith a lock controlling" member movable with respect thereto, and an uncoupling member adapted to actuate the. latter and the. said lock, the lock controlling member having an armfor cooperating. with the coupler head to prevent accidental unlocking of't'he lockand having a lugslidably and angularly movable with inthe slot of the lock leg andbeing provided with a projection for engaging and rocking uponsaid shoulder of the lock leg and also being formed with a lug spaced laterally from said projection and constituting an actuating weight for causing the lockcontrolling member to execute, under the influence of gravity, a rocking movement with respectto said lock leg.

Other features of the invention residingin advantageous forms and relations of parts will hereinafter appear and be particu larly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrating the invention,-

Figure 1 is a transverse section of a car coupler embodying the invention, the parts being in locked position.

Figure 2' is a detail view corresponding to Fig. 1 but illustrating the. coupler look as having been released from the control of the device by which it is retained in locked position.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the lower portion of the lock and associated lock controlling device.

Figure 4c is a detail rear elevational view of the lower portion of the coupler lock and associated lock controlling device.

Figure 5 is a detail View partly in plan and partly in section on the line 55, Fig. 2.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of a car coupler embodying a modified form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view corresponding to Fig. (5 but illustrating the lock controlling member in a position permitting the lock to perform an unlocking movement.

Figures 8 and 9 are detail views in side and rear elevation, respectively, of the lower portion of the coupler lock and the lock controlling mechanism.

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on the line 1010, Fig. 8.

The coupler illustrated for the purpose of explaining the invention is a well known form of the Master Car Builders type. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to a coupler of that form although it is especially well adapted for such a mechanism.

In the drawings, 1 indicates the coupler head, 2 is the knuckle pivotally mounted thereon, and 3 is a rotatable knuckle opener adapted to be actuated by the coupler lock 4 when the latter performs an extended unlocking movement. The lock is provided with a depending leg 5 which extends downwardly through an opening 6 in the under side of the coupler head. At its lower end the lock leg is formed with a plurality of elongated intersecting slots 7 and 8, respectively; the former being adapted to receive a portion of the lock controlling member, and the latter being for the reception of an un coupling rod or lever for actuating the knuckle locking mechanism. At one side of the slot 8 the lock leg is fashioned with a downwardly facing shoulder 9 forming a bearing face upon which the means 10 by which the lock is prevented from accidentally assuming an unlocked position are adapted to rock; and above said slot the depending lock leg 5 is preferably provided with a shoulder 11 adapted to engage the lock controlling member 10 for the purpose of limiting the swinging movement of the latter toward the lock 4.

The lock controlling member 10 which is movably mounted upon the lock 4 is formed with an arm 12 whose upper end is preferably stepped so as to provide a shoulder 13 adapted to stand beneath a portion 14 of the coupler head and thus prevent the lock 4 from accidentally executing an unlocking movement. The portion 15 of the arm 12 which is above the shoulder 13 and projects into the opening 6 of the coupler head is adapted, as shown in Fig. 1, to engage said head so as to limit the extent of swinging movement of the lock-to-the lock device 10 away from the lock 4.

Near its lower end the lock controlling member 10 is provided on one side with a lug 16 adapted to be received by the slot 7 in the lock leg 5. The lug 16, which preferably lies in a plane disposed at a slight angle to the direction of length of the upwardly extending arm 12, is adapted to slide vertically and also to oscillate angularly within said slot. The lug 16 is preferably of greater height than width and has an aperture 17 in alinemcnt with the slot 8 for the purpose of receiving an uncoupling member or bar 18. As well shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the opening 17 in the lock-to-the-lock member 10 is preferably flared or enlarged at one side so as to permit the said part 10 to shift its angular position with respect to the uncoupling member 18 when the latter is operated to unlock the coupler. At its outer end the lug 16 is preferably provided with an upwardly extending inclined projection 19 which overlaps the lock leg 5 above the slot 7 for receiving the lug portion 16 of the lock-to-the-lock member. The projection 19 and upwardly extending arm 12 by overlapping opposite sides of the lock leg 5 assist in maintaining the lock controlling memher 10 in proper operative relation to the lock 4, particularly during the unlocking movement of the latter.

To cause the arm 12 of the lock controlling member to swing from beneath the shoulder 11- on the coupler head and assume a position permitting the lock 4 to be raised when the uncoupling member 18 is operated, the controlling member 10 is fashioned with a projection or upwardly facing shoulder 20 which is adapted to cooperate with the downwardly facing bearing shoulder 9 of the lock leg. As the projection 20 and shoulder 9 engage each other at one side of the point of contactof the uncoupling member 18 with the lug 16 of the locleto-the-lock member 10, an upward or uncoupling movement of the uncoupling member results in causing the upper end of the lock controlling member 10 to swing toward the depending leg of the lock 4,

thereby freeing-thelookso, that it may moved to unlocked position.

The lock-to-the-lo ck member 10 is designed to be actuated by gravity so as auto-. vmat-ically to, move to a position beneath t shoulder 14 on the coupler head when the lock 4 falls toa locked positionu member 10 is for this purposepreferably provided on the sideopposite the. projection 20 with a lug or projection 21 which constitutesan actuating weight for causing the lock controllino member-to rock with re- L spect to the lockleg .5 so as to assume apounlocking t sition preventing accidental the lock 4. V

The uncoupling member 18 which extends through a slot 8 of the lock leg and through the a-pertured lug-16 of the lock con-trolling memberL serves, it willbe perceived, to maintain said,lock controlling member in assembled relation to the lock.

hen the uncoupling member. 18 is actuated tor the purpose of unlocking the coupler itsin-itial upward movement causes the lock controllingmember .to swlng toward the lock and-assume the position shown in lustraitedin Figs. 6:to 10, inclusive, the

coupler head 1, pivoted knuckle 2. and knuckle opener 3 are tlie same 1n construction as the corresponding parts heretofore described The formo't knuckle lock 22 is, however, somewhat difl erent'in respect of its depending leg; 23. It is, as in the case of the lock leg 5, provided near its lower end with mtersecting. slot/s7 andjS,respectively,

. corresponding in form. andfunction to the similar slots heretofore described, and it;

has a vertically eXtendin-g shoulder 11;adap t;

edto be'engaged by the-lock I controlling member fOl'lllle purposeuof limiting the tiltingmovement 0t thelatter'towardithe lock 22; but it is unprovided with a downwardly facing shoulder 9- wlnch;,. m the case, of. the

constmction shown in 1 to 5, forms a hearing or seatupon which the projection 20 of the lock controlling member 10 rocks,

and it also omits the lug 21 constituting an,

actuating weight for thepurpose of causing the shoulder 24 at the upper end of the lock controlling member 25 to move outwardly from the lock andassume a position be neath' the shoulder-14 of-the coupler head when the lock- 22 ;isin locked. position, The,

lockleg 23 is formed near its upper end with an inclinedfh ce or shoulder. 26 adapts ed to cooperatewitha correspondingly in- In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in; Figs, 1 to 5, inclusive, the lock controlling assume unlocked clinedface 2] at; th;e; to pilof the upwardly extending arm 28; of t,

mem'ber25. The; lec ln22 also preferably differs from the lock 1in being provided on 7 one sidebelow the slotfi with a lugior pro jection affording a vertically extending face which the downwardly extending projectiol aiiO ofthe lock controlling member 25 engaginglyoverlaps to assist in guiding saidloick controllingmember when the .latter moves with respect to the lo ck 22.-

The. lock :controlling member 25, whose upperend 13 extends into the opening-6 of the coupler head, is formeduiear the lower end of; its locking a yn 28 with a lug 32 adapted'to be received by the slot 7 of:the lock leg 23. The lug 32 preferably lies in a plane vdisposed at a slight angle to the direction of length of the upwardly extending arm 25 and is adapted to slide vertically and;

also to oscillate angularly within said slot. An-ap ertin'e 33 is formed in the lug 32 in alinement with the slot/8 for-the purpose of receiving theuncoupling bar or rod :18; and at its outer end the lug 32 is preferably tormed'withva downwardly extending projection 0,1; portion which overlaps thc guiding face 29 of the lock legbelow-the slot? inwhich the said lug is received.

It will be perceivedthat the uncoupling member by extending "through the slot 8 0t the locleleg and throughthe apertured lug.

82 of the lock controlling 111em-be1125serves to maintain said lock controlling member in assembled relation to the lock.22,1

Then the uncoupling {member 18 is moved upwardly for the ."purpose, of effecting, an unlocking ,of the coupler its initial upward movement raises the lock controlling mem;

136125, causing the inclinedshoulder 24: at

the upperend of the latter to slide upon the shoulder l loi the coupler head and thereby effect a tilting of the loclnto-the-lock member with respect-to the look. This tilti'ngof thelock controlling member 25 causes its locking shoulder 2 k to be withdrawn from. beneath the portion 1a of the coupler head as shown in Fig. 7, thus freeing the lock-22 so; that the latter may move upward ly to unlocked position, After the-lock has thusfbeen releasedfrom the control ofithe lOClGtO-lli-Q-lQCk member the continued upward movement ofthe uncoupling memher 1 8 eflects ,theunlocking of the lock 22.

I claim 1. A carcoupler having ahead, a knuckle,

pivotally mounted thereon, a lock for said knuckle havinga depending legextend ug through an opening in said head, means movable with respect to. the lock for lockingthe latter against accidental unlocking movement, andan uncoupling member adapted to actuate said'means and to actuate said;

lock itl'irough. the intermediacy of said means, said leg being formed with al plurality of 'e lock totl e-lock JUL) intersecting slots one of which is adapted to receive said means and one of which is adapted to receive said uncoupling member, and the portion or" said means which extends into said slot in the lock being apertured to receive said uncoupling member and being adapted to move vertically with respect to said lock and also to oscillate angularly.

2. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle pivotally mounted thereon, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, means movable with respect to said lock for preventing accidental unlocking of the latter, and an uncoupling member adapted to actuate said means and to actuate said. lock through the intermediacy of said means, said leg being provided with an elongated slot, and said means being provided with a lug of greater height than width which extends into said slot and is adapted to move vertically with respect to said lock and also to oscillate angularly.

3. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle pivotally mounted thereon, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, means movable with respect to said lock for pre venting accidental unlocking of the latter, said means being provided with a lug, and an uncoupling member adapted to actuate said means and to actuate said lock through the intermediacy of said means, said leg be ing provided with a plurality of intersecting elongated slots one of which is adapted to receive said lug and one of which is adapted to receive said uncoupling member, said lug being movable in said slot, and said uncoupling member being adapted to retain said lug in operative position within said slot.

a. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, means movable with respect to said lock for locking the latter against accidental unlocking, said means involving an arm adapted to stand under and cooperate with a portion of said head, and an uncoupling member adaptedto actuate said means and to actuate said lock through the intermediacy otsaid means, said'leg being provided with an elongated slot, and said means being provided with a lug which is slidably and angularly movable within said slot and 1s 'l ormed with a projection between which and said arm said depending leg extends.

5. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head. means movable with respect to said lock for locking the latter against accidental unlocking, and an uncoupling adapted to actuate said means and to ac tuate said look through the intermediacy oi said means, said uncoupling member when member in operative position serving to maintain said means in assembled relation to said lock, said leg being provided with an elongated slot, said means being provided with a lug which is slidably and angularly movable within said slot, and said means and said depending leg being provided with cooperating parts serving to move said means so as to effect an angular movement of said lug within said slot.

' G. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, a lock controlling member adapted to cooperate with said head to prevent accidental unlocking of said lock, and an uncoupling member adapted to actuate said loci; controlling member and said lock, said leg being provided with an elongated slot and having a shoulder forming a bearing upon which said lock controlling member is adapted to rock, and said lock controlling member being provided with a lug which is slidabl v and angularly movable within said slotand also being provided with a portion for hearing against and rocking upon said shoulder to cause said lock controlling momber to assume a. position permitting said logk to execute an unlocking movement.

1. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle,

a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, a lock controlling member adapted to rooperate with said head to prevent accidental unlocking of said lock, and an uncoupling member adapted to actuate said lock controlling member and to actuate said lock through the intermediacy of said lock coir trolling member, said leg being formed with a pluality of intersecting slots, said lock controlling member being provided with :1 lug which is slidably and angularly movable within one of said slots, said uncoupling-member being received by the other of said slots and engaging said lug to main tain said lock controlling member in as sembled relation to said lock, said leg hav ing a shoulder forming a bearing upon which said lock controlling member is adapted to rock, and said lock controlling member being provided with a projection ior engaging and rocking upon said shoulder to cause a corresponding swinging movement of said lock controlling member.

8. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle. a lock. {or said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, a lock controlling member having an arm adapted to cooperate with said head to prevent accidental unlocking of said lock, and uncoupling means adapted to actuate said lock controlling member and to actuat said lock through the intermediacy of said lock controlling member, said leg being pro vided with an elongated slot and having a shoulder forming a bearing upon which said lock controlling member is adapted to rock, and said lock controlling member having a lug which is slidably and angularly movable Within said slot and having a projection for engaging and rocking upon sait shoulder and also having an upwardly ex tending projection overlapping said depending leg above said slot on the side opposite said arm.

9. A car coupler having a head,a knuckle, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, a lock controlling member movable with respect to said look and having an arm adapted to cooperate with said head to prevent accidental unlocking of said lock, and an uncoupling member adapted to actuate said lock controlling member and to actuate said look through the intermediacy of said lock controlling member, said leg being provided with arr-elongated slot and having a shoulder forming a bearing upon which said lock controlling member is adapted to rock, and said lock controlling member having :1 lug which is slidably and angularly movable Within said slot and having a projection for engaging and rocking upon said shoulder and also having a lug spaced laterally from said projection for constituting an actuating Weight to cause said lock controlling member to rock with respect to said lock leg so as to assume a position preventing accidental unlocking of said lock.

10. A car coupler having a head, a knuckle, a lock for said knuckle having a depending leg extending through an opening in said head, a lock controlling member having an arm adapted to cooperate With said head to prevent accidental unlocking of said lock, and'an uncoupling member adapted to actuate said lock controlling member and to actuate said lock through the intermediacy of said lock cont-rollingmember, said leg being formed with a plurality of elongated slots and having a shoulder forming a bearing upon which said lock controlling member is adapted to rock,'said lock controlling member having an apertured lug which is slidably and angularly movable Within one of said slots and having a projection for engaging and rocking upon said shoulder, and said uncoupling member being received by the other of said slots and the aperture of said lug.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM KELSO. 

